Eagles Gameday

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans

September 10, 2006|The Morning Call

EAGLES OUTLOOK

EAGLES PASS RUSH VS. DAVID CARR

After getting just 29 sacks last season -- Philadelphia's lowest total since 1978 -- the Eagles added former New Orleans Saints defensive end Darren Howard as a free agent. That move is supposed to limit the ability of opposing teams to throw double teams and help at Jevon Kearse. The Eagles also expect to get more of a pass rush from their interior defensive linemen after throwing their last two first-round picks at the defensive tackle positions.

Carr was sacked 208 times in his previous four seasons. But the Texans have a new coaching staff, headed by former Denver Broncos backup quarterback and offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak. Look for Kubiak to have Carr moving around more on bootlegs and sprintouts so that he is less of a sitting target than in the past. And, in addition to having thrown some new players into the offensive line in hopes of a long-term upgrade, expect Kubiak to max protect Carr at times.

LARRY O'ROURKE

Productive afternoon for McNabb, Akers, Dawkins, Kearse and Howard.

Eagles 23-14

GORDIE JONES

And where David Carr is concerned, this prediction comes courtesy of Mr. T, in Rocky III: 'Pain.'

In the spotlight: The Texans would be wise to keep an eye on Eagles free safety Brian Dawkins. Not only did he catch a 57-yard touchdown pass of a fake punt and come up with a sack and interception the last time the teams played, in 2002, he also will be employed in a new role this season as a linebacker in some nickel and dime pass coverage schemes.

Series history: Philadelphia leads 1-0.

Last meeting: Eagles 35, Texans 17, at Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, Sept. 29, 2002 -- The Eagles intercepted David Carr twice and sacked him seven times while erasing an early 7-0 deficit and taking a 28-7 lead. The Eagles' Donovan McNabb completed 24 of 49 passes for 259 yards and one TD (with one interception), while Duce Staley rushed 12 times for 33 yards and two TDs. Staley also caught three passes for 39 yards.

Did you know? There are only seven players remaining on the Eagles' roster from the team's entire 2001-04 run of NFC Championship Game appearances. Those players are: David Akers, Mike Bartrum, Donovan McNabb, Jon Runyan, William (formerly Tra) Thomas and Darwin Walker. ... Twenty-four players remain from the last of those teams -- the one that made it to the Super Bowl.